The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1887-11-30
BE Prepared.
Editor Mirror:


Everybody, in the course of life. is des'
tined to encounter misfortunes of some
kind. They come to the rich as well as to
the poor. Is ''being poor not a misfortune
in itself? l am asked. No. not at all. but
on the contrary. Ito be poor'' (not to be a
pauper, but to have enough to get along
with in this world with nothing to sQuan-
DER sa blessing. The majority of our
poor people, however, do not think 50, and
in their willfulness or ignorance, they dis
regard the blessing they are enjoying, to
enter a life full of darkness, with no end in
view-the struggle for riches. The temp
tatiOn is great one to these poor people,
who do not know how little they are
struggling for, and at what great RISKS.
Very seldom will you find that the man
who, reduced from wealth to poverty, will
use dishonest means, and risk his comfort
and liberty to regain his lost riches. DO
we find large percentage of this class in
our prisons? l think not. We have only
the poor, who never knew the true value of
riches ard have allowed themselves to go
dStIdy III tllc VIII CllttSc ftllCI GuCIIi.
also have Strayed a little, in chasing
down this theme of the poor man. l left
off saying. both rich and poor have their
share of misfortunes. None excepted. 10
some they come in one shape, to some in
another; but all have their day, and woe to
them that are weak and unprepared and
lacking the faith in their Maker, to uphold
them in adversely.
For illustration Of the effect misfortune
in many instances has upon the bearer,
will give the reader, as brief as possible
the story. which was told me by himself. of
young man of New York city. About
four years prior to the time when he related
his trouble to me, he had married a most
charming young lady. He was then happy,
he told me, for he was wealthy by inherit
ance and was established in well paying
business. ''Ah," he said to me, eff only
had back my darling wife, who has gone to
join the angels, would be happy and say
squandered. In short. about two years
after marriage his wife had departed from
this weary vale. He had drank up the
greater part of his fortune within two years
after her death. My entreaties were of no
avail: he had formed the habit beyond his
power of resistance, and when. year later,
l met him again, he had spent the remain.
der of his fortune, and was working at SIS
per week in the establishment he formerly
owned. While his fortune lasted, he was
in one continual stupOr, but later, with all
his possessions gone and working for a
small weekly salary, l often found him
with clear head during the week and
many are the pleasant evenings we enjoyed
together, and talked over past sorrows, and
on his part of future hopes. He did not
hope to become rich again, dear reader, but
what he did hope. and l heartily wish he
may have realized it by this time was to be
enabled in time to break off from the yoke
which he had allowed to get such firm hold
of himself.
There are many more instances L could
give to show how the ''unprepared" are
carried down the tide Of recklessness on en-
cOuntering misfortune. They forget that
earthly troubles are but tritles after all;
they forget. that in most cases our miSfOr-
tunes are sent us from our Heavenly
Father, not to punish, but in order to bring
us nearer to Him.
A great many Of us never stop to think
of this, but continue to rush down the dark
road fleeing from our Friend. in place of
contidng in Him and trusting to Him to
give us peace and happiness.
Look away to Jesus.
Soul by woe oppressed;
Twas for thee He suffered
Come to Him and rest.'
Nov. %, 1887. CHAs. NJ. MORTON.
The Origin of Thanksgiving.
''Fergy," said Mrs. Montgomery in that
far-away tone which indicated that she was
thinking OF something, "who invented
Thanksgiving?"